a simple photography tip {6 ways to take a better photo}

These are a few tips to help you take better pictures of your family and friends.  You don't need a fancy camera to be able to do these things...that's what so great about it!  Try it...Post on your blog and link back here...we would love to see them!

1. Get down on their level. Hold your camera at the subjects eye level to capture the power of magnetic gazes and mesmerizing smiles. For kids and pets, that means getting down on their level to take the picture. They don't have to look directly into the camera, the eye level angle by itself will create a personal and inviting feeling.

2. Move in Close. To create impactful images, move in close and fill your picture with the subject. Move a few steps closer or use the zoom until the subject fills the viewfinder. You will eliminate background distractions and show off the details of your subject. For small objects, use the camera's marco or 'flower' mode to get sharp close-up pictures.

3. Use a plain background. Before taking a picture, check the background behind your subject. Look out for trees and poles sprouting out of your subject's head. A cluttered background will be distracting while a plain background will emphasize your subject.

4. Move it from the middle. Bring your picture to life simply by placing your subject off-center. Imagine a tic-tac-toe grid in your viewfinder. Now place your subject at one of the intersections of lines. Since most camera's focus on whatever in the middle, remember to lock the focus on your subject before re-framing your shot.

5. Watch the light. Great light makes great pictures. Study the effects of light in your pictures. For the people pictures chose the soft lighting of cloudy days. Avoid overhead sunlight that casts harsh shadows across faces. For scenic pictures, use the long shadows and color of early and late daylight. (I think this photo could be lightened a little bit as well...LOL) But just look at how the light is even on the overall picture.

6. Use Natural light - don't use those on board flashes :: turn them off and go find a window with gorgeous light coming in.  I took this with my front door open and the light shining right in. It was perfect.